Fruit-picker.



No. 779,312. PATENTED JAN. 3, 1905.

A. B. PRATT.

FRUIT 'PICKER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED JAN. 3, 1905.

A. B. PRATT.

FRUIT PIOKER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

w t-firemen UNITE STATES Patented January 3, 190 5.

PATENT OFFICE.

FRUIT-PICKER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. '77 9,312, datedJanuary 3, 1905.

Application filed June 2, 1904. Serial No. 210,8L3.

To all whom it may c0nccrn:

Be it known that I, ALBERT B. PRATT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Dorchester, in the county of Suifolk and State ofMassachusetts, have invented a new and useful Fruit-Picker, of which thefollowing is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in fruit-pickers.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction offruit-pickers and to provide a simple and comparatively ineXpen sive onedesigned for picking various kinds of fruit and capable of quicklygathering and transfering the same to a basket or other receptacleWithout injuring the fruit.

Another object of the invention is to prevent the cutters from coming incontact with the fruit while placing the device around the same and alsowhile severing the fruit from the tree.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter of great strength and durability adapted to be varied inlength to arrange it to suit the height of a tree from which the fruitis to be picked.

Vith these and other objects in view the invention consists in theconstruction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafterfully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointedout in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that variouschanges in the form, proportion, size, and minor details of-constructionwithin the scope of the claims may be resorted to without departing fromthe spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In thedrawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of a fruit-picker constructedin accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinalsectional view of the upper or outer end of the fruit-picker. Fig. 3 isa horizontal sectional view of the same. Fig. 4 is an enlargedperspective View of the upper or outer end of the fruit-gatherer. Fig. 5is an elevation of the same. Fig. 6 is an enlarged longitudinalsectional view of one side of the upper or outer end of thefruit-gatherer, illustrating the manner of mounting and actuating thecutters. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail sectional view illustrating themanner of connecting the sections of the rod and the operating-wire.Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the outer ends of thecutters, the latter being closed.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all thefigures of the drawlngs.

1 designates a substantially cylindrical chute-carrying frame mounted onthe upper end of a rod or pole 2 and receiving the mouth or upper end ofa flexible chute 3. The body portion of the chute-carrying frame iscomposed of upper and lower approximately circular wires 4 and 5 andupright connecting-wires 6; which are extended at opposite sides of theframe to form projecting loops or fingers 7. The upper end or mouth ofthe chute is provided at intervals with eyes 8, which are strung on theupper circular wire t, whereby the chute is secured to the frame 1. Theprojecting loops or fingers 7, which are arranged in pairs at oppositesides of the frame 1, support arched guards 9, which are located aboveand in advance of the cutting edges of a pair of cutters 10 and 11 whenthe latter are open, as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Thechute-supporting frame is preferably constructed of stout wire, and theguards are also constructed of similar material and are suitably securedto the outer ends of the projecting loops or fingers 7. The wires arepreferably secured together by means of eyes and by soldering them; butany other suitable means may be employed for connecting the wirestogether, as will be readily understood.

The cutters 10 and 11 are provided with openings, which are fulcrumedbetween their ends on the upper or outer circular wire of the frame 1 atdiametricallyopposite points on the same. and the upper or outerportions of the shanks are curved and present inner concaved faces andouter conveXed faces. The upper ends of the cutters are enlarged, andthe cutter 10 is sharpened to provide an upper cutting edge 12. Theother cutter is provided with a serrated or toothed edge 13, and it hasa blade 14 mounted on it and spaced from the serrated edge. The blade 11 is arranged on the exterior of the cutter 11 and is suitably securedto the same by rivets or other fastening devices, spacing blocks orpieces 15 being interposed between the blade and the cutter. The cuttingedges of the cutters lie belowand slightly in rear of the guards 9, sothat there is no liability of the fruit coming in contact with thecutters when the device is placed in position for severing the fruitfrom the tree. The cutters are swung together, as hereinafter described,for severing the fruit from the tree. and in order to prevent them fromcoming in contact with and bruising or otherwise injuring the fruit theyare provided at their inner faces with pads of rubber sponge 16; but anyother desired form of cushion may be employed for this purpose. Forinstance, a pneumatic cushion or a fabric or other pad may beadvantageously employed for this purpose. The cutters are braced orreinforced by means of longitudinal ribs 17, arranged on the outer facesof the cutters and having forked lower portions 18, which straddle slotsor openings 19 of the lower portions or arms of the shanks of thecutters. The lower portions of the exterior reinforcing-ribs 17 areprovided with alined perforations to receive the upper or outer circularwire 4:, which forms the pintles for the cutters. The cutters arenormally held in their open position by means of springs 20, consistingof a pair of arms, and a connecting spring-coil, which is disposed onthe upper or outer circular wire of the frame 1. One arm,21,of thespring 20 is secured to the lower portion of the shank of the cutter,and the other arm, 22, is connected with the frame 1. The outward oropen movement of the cutters is limited by inclined stop-loops 1,extending from the outer circular wire 4and having depressions or bendsat their outer portions to receive the reinforcing-flanges of thecutters.

The lower circular member or wire 5 of the frame 1 is extended atdiametrically opposite points to form inclined loops 23, which arelocated adjacent to the inner portions of the shanks of the cutters andconstitute supports and fulcrums for bell-crank levers 241, which areprovided at their angles with sleeves 25 to receive the loops of thelower or inner member 5 of the frame. These bell-crank levers have upperand lower arms, which are inclined upwardly and downwardly from theprojecting loops 23 when the cutters are open. The lower arms of thebell-crank levers are connected by V -shaped wires 26 with the lowerportions of the shanks of the cutters, at opposite sides of the slots oropenings thereof; but any other suitable connecting means may beemployed, as will be readily understood. The upper or upwardly-extendingarms are connected with branches 27 of an operatingwire 28; but a cordor other suitable flexible connection may be employed. l/Vhen the upperarms'of the bell-crank levers are swung downward, the lower arms swingoutward and carry with them the lower portions of the shanks of thecutters. are located opposite the slots or openings of the cutters, andthe upper arms extend through the same when they are operated. Theterminals 29 of the circular wire or member 5 of the frame arepreferably extended and embedded in the upper end of the pole, and theframe 1 is supported at opposite sides by inclined outwardly-divergingtubular braces 30, which also receive and form guides for the branches27 of the operating-wire 28. The tubular braces are suitably secured attheir outer ends to the lower or inner circular wire or member 5 of theframe 1 and are connected at their inner ends and secured to the back ofthe pole. When the operatingwire is pulled, motion is communicatedthrough the bell-crank levers to the cutters, which are swung inwardtoward each other, whereby they are caused to sever the stem of thefruit. When the cutters are at the limit of their inward movement, thecutting edges overlap, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawings,whereby the fruit is positively severed from the tree.

In order to enable the operating-wire to be readily manipulated, it isprovided with a thumb-receiving ring 31, and the pole is pro vided witha curved guard 32, beneath which the fingers are placed in gripping thepole. By this construction the pole may be readily gripped and theoperating-wire effectively operated with the right hand. This will leavethe left hand free for taking hold of the chute to retard the fall ofthe fruit. A basket or other receptacle may be conveniently carried onthe left arm, and the chute will direct the fruit into the same, and byretarding the fruit in its passage through the chute there will be noliability of bruising or otherwise injuring the fruit.

The pole may be constructed of light wood, tubular metal, or any othersuitable material, and it is preferably composed of sections 33 toenable it to be be varied in length to suit the height of a tree fromwhich the fruit is to picked. The sections are provided with suitablejoints, preferably consisting of tubular portions or ferrules 34:,arranged to receive reduced portions 35. The operating wire orconnection is also constructedv of sections, which are connected bymeans of eyes 36 and snap-hooks 37 or other suitablemeans. Each sectionof the rod or pole is provided with a curved guard 32, and each of thesections of the operating-wire is provided with a thumbreceiving ring ormember 31. The chute is also constructed of sections secured together bybuttons and buttonholes, as indicated at 38; but any other suitablefastening means may be employed. The pole is provided with rigid guidesor eyes 30 for the operating- The bell-crank levers wire, and ithashinged eyes 40, adapted to receive hooks 41 of the chute, whereby thelatter is attached to the pole.

In order to prevent the branches from interfering with the operation ofthe bell-crank levers and the cutters, the frame 1 is provided atopposite sides with shields 42, constructed of sheet metal or othersuitable material. These shields, which may be suitably secured to theframe 1 in any desired manner, are substantially U-shaped incross-section, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A fruit-picker,comprisinga pole,aframe carried by the pole, cutterspivotally mounted on the frame at opposite sides thereof, leversconnected with the cutters, and operating means having branchesconnected with the said levers.

2. A fruit-picker,comprising a pole,a frame carried by the pole, cutterspivotally mounted at opposite sides of the frame, bell-crank leversfulcrumed at their angles on the frame and connected at one arm with thecutters, and operating means carried by the pole and havingbranchesconnected with the other arm of the bell-crank levers.

3. A fruit-picker, comprising a frame, cutters pivotally mounted on theframe at opposite sides thereof, springs for holdingthe cutters normallyopen, levers also mounted on' the frame and connected with the cutters,and operating means connected with the levers for actuating the cutters.

4. A fruit-picker, comprising a frame provided with projecting loops,cutters pivotally mounted on the frame at opposite sides thereof andlocated adjacent to the loops, levers fulcrumed on the loops andconnected with the cutters, and operating means connected with thelevers for operating the cutters.

5. A fruit-picker, comprising a frame having upper and lowersubstantially circular members provided with projecting loops, cuttersfulcrumed on the upper member and having their outward movement limitedby the loops of the said upper member, levers fulcrumed on the loops ofthe lower member and connected with the cutters, and operating meansconnected with the levers for actuating the cutters.

6. A fruit-picker, comprising a frame, cutters pivotally mounted on theframe between their ends and having openings at their lower portions,springs engaging the cutters for holding the same normally open, leversconnected with the cutters and located opposite the openings thereof,and operating means connected with the levers for actuating the cutters.

7 A fruit-picker, comprising a frame, cutters pivotally mounted thereon,levers connected with the cutters, operating means connected with thelevers for actuating the cutters, and shields mounted on the frame andcovering the levers.

8. A fruitpicker, comprising pivotallymounted cutters, one of thecutters having a toothed edge and provided with a blade spaced from itto receive the engaging portion of the other cutter, and means foroperating the cutters.

9. Afruit-picker provided with cutters, and having guards located inadvance of the cutters and mounted independently thereof and arranged toprevent fruit from coming in contact with the cutters.

10. A fruit-picker, comprising a frame, cutters mounted on the frame,.and arched guards also mounted on the frame and located in advance ofthe cutters when the latter are open.

11. Afruit-picker, comprisingaframe provided with projecting fingers,cutters located at opposite sides of the frame, and arched guardsmounted on the fingers and arranged to prevent the cutters from comingin contact with the fruit.

12. Afruit-picker, comprisinga frame, cutters mounted on the frame,arched guards also mounted on the frame and located in advance of thecutters to prevent the fruit from coming in contact with the same .whenthe said cutters are open, and cushions for preventing the cutters inclosing from coming in contact with the fruit.

13. A fruit-picker, comprising a frame having upper and lower circularwires and provided with projecting fingers, a pole connected with theframe, a chute arranged within the frame and connected with the uppercircular wire, and cutting mechanism.

14. A fruit-picker, comprising a frame, a pole, cutters mounted on theframe, tubular braces extending from the pole to the frame, andoperating means having branches extending through the tubular braces andconnected with the cutters.

15. A fruit-picker, comprising a frame, a pole connected with the frame,outwardly-diverging tubular braces extending from the pole to the frame,cutters, and operating means composed of a flexible connection havingbranches extending through the tubular braces and connected with thecutters.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses. I

ALBERT B. PRATT.

